Sad to Belong

Chapter 40

"And I noticed you." He replied and looked at her. He's expecting her to look surprised but she just looks neutral.

"Of course you would have! I was at your home almost always! Para ngang ikalawang bahay ko na 'yung bahay niyo eh."

"Baliw! Hindi 'yan ang ibig kong sabihin. I noticed you as something else. Something I couldn't quite understand before but I think as I spend time with you ay unti-unti ko ng naiintindihan. I took you here to explain myself so I hope you understand now. And I also took you here para makita ni Dad na for once, seryoso ako sa nararamdaman ko para sa isang babae." Blaise chuckled. Naaalala niya pa ang mga panahong paiba-iba siya ng kasamang babae. Pinatawag siya ng kanyang ama one time sa kanilang study area isang araw pagkauwi niya galing sa kanyang basketball game. Akala niya'y may ginawa siyang bagay na ikinagalit ng kanilang ama. He wasn't a goody two shoes after all.

"Hey mate. Have a seat." His Dad said saka itinigil ang pagbabasa sa mga papeles na hawak.

"Hey Dad. What's up?" he replied whilst playing with his basketball saka umupo sa upuan sa harapan ng desk.

"Nothing major. So uhm, how's your school going? Your basketball?"

Kumunot naman ang noo ng binata sa tanong ng kanyang ama. Muntik na nga siyang matawa kung hindi lang ito mukhang seryoso. It was only the other day ng tinanong siya nito ng parehong tanong kaya't alam niyang may iba pa itong pakay. "Cut to the chase Dad. What is it? You only asked me that yesterday."

"Oh, Did I? Well you know, I just want to remind you to take things easy. Don't rush." Tatanungin niya pa sana ito kung ano'ng ibig sabihin nito but a second look to him explained it all.

"Dad, I am. And don't worry I'm not playing with them. They just want something more than what I can offer them that's all."

"So you decide to end it and find someone else and on and on. If you don't stop mate, that'll be your pattern. I'm just reminding you. I'm not asking you to stop. You have your own mind, you're an adult now so it's your call."

"Dad, I'm not having this talk. But thanks for reminding me." he replied saka tumayo na para umalis.

"So, you like me all these time? At hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" Saige asked, bringing him back to their reality.

"Well I didn't know what it was Saige. I thought it was just normal or something." Pag-amin niya sa dalaga.

"Psh. 'Langya ka Blaise. Ang wrong timing mo. Look at my situation now, mas lalo mo akong pinahirapan."

"Bakit, may nararamdaman ka na ba kay Terrence? Eh sakin? Kahit konti lang?" nakakunot-noong tanong niya sa dalaga. Alam niyang imposibleng hindi dahil nakita niya ang mga kinang sa mga mata ng dalaga tuwing magkasama ang kanyang kaibigan at si Saige. He didn't like it but what can he do. Matagal na siyang nagpaparaya at oo, nagsisisi siya kung bakit ngayon lamang siya nakakuha ng pagkakataon at lakas para umamin.

"Uhm I—I... I don't know. I think may nararamdaman ako kay Terrence. I mean, I wouldn't be wasting all my time talking and spending some time with him kung wala akong nararamdaman sa kanya."

"Okay. Well, atleast you know what I really feel for you now. Will you give me a chance Saige? Kahit medyo late na? Baka sakaling... maka keep-up ako sa nararamdaman mo kay Terrence. Baka naman malampasan ko siya kung sakali. Kahit konti lang. I'm willing to take the risk now, Saige. If you'll just let me." He looks at her intently para maramdaman ng dalaga na sinsero siya sa kanyang mga sinasabi at hindi siya nagloloko. Hindi niya alam kung ano'ng magiging takbo ng pagkakaibigan niya kay Terrence after this. Aaminin niyang nasaktan siya sa pag-iwas ng dalaga sa tanong niya na kung may nararamdaman ba ito sakanya kahit kaunti lang. Pero kahit ganun pa man ay masaya siyang malaman na naihayag niya na ang kanyang tunay na nararamdaman sa dalaga. What is hurting him right now is the thought na baka huli na. Mabibigyan kaya siya ng pagkakataon ng dalaga? Nasasaktan siyang isiping may nararamdaman si Saige sa kanyang kaibigan, kahit katiting lang, ngunit alam niyang kasalanan niya naman at wala siyang ibang pwedeng sisihin kung hindi ang sarili niya. Kung sana ay nagkaroon siya ng common sense noon... kung sana naintindihan niya ang nararamdaman niya sa dalaga noon...